Page 153 of Vita Mia

“Where are the kids?”

“Packing. We’re all packing. I’m making a game out of it. I spoke to Nico and he said it is what we should do. Uncle Domi is coming to get us.”

“So, you will go to Sicily and be a good girl for me?”

Eve grinned. “Yes! I’m always a good girl until I’m not!”

She ran from the room and Mirabella smiled. She put the phone to her ear, bracing for more bad news. “Pronto?” she answered.

“Mirabella?”

Her heart leaped to her throat. “Carlo? Carlo is that you?”

“It’s me.”

“Oh, thank God! Thank you for calling. Thank you so much.”

“I know Renaldo is dead.”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could have done more. I swear it.”

“Don’t,” Carlo said. “We all take the risk. Let’s save our tears. For now.”

“Will you come?”

“I’m making plans. I need to know more about the situation.”

“Okay. I can get you everything, all the information. Carlo. They killed him in front of Giovanni. He’s still trapped in that hell. He asked for you directly.”

“Then I know what he wants. Is it safe to call Domi?”

“Yes. Did you speak to Nico?”

“Yes. Mirabella. You’re strong. You can help them through this. Giovanni won’t be in that prison for long.”

“I know. I’m trying. Dominic has more information than me.”

“I’ll call him next. Be well.”

“GrazieCarlo. You too.”

Mirabella let go a deep burdensome sigh. She collapsed back on her pillows and let go the deepest sigh of relief. With Carlo back in their lives, she had hope again.

***

POGGIOREALE PRISON–

Giovanni ate his belly full. He hadn’t had a hot meal in weeks. The soup was bland and the meat was tough, but it tasted like heaven to him. His taste buds exploded with imagined flavor he was certain didn’t exist.

He wasn’t cleared by medical. He had two broken ribs and they were concerned about a fracture in his leg that hadn’t been tended too. With the Carabinieri on him 24/7 he was given a bed to sleep in and even access to his own personal shower. Giovanni sat in silence, alone, eating. He chewed slow since he lost two teeth to the side of his mouth and his jaw was still swollen.

He noticed a man mopping the dining hall floor to his left. He never looked up but something about him rang familiar. Giovanni drank his juice from the carton and swallowed. The three Carabinieri officers walked out. Surprised by the sudden freedom he froze. His hand went to the plastic knife. It wouldn’t be too helpful as a weapon but he’d use it to the best of his ability. The person mopping started to mop his way. He mopped closer and closer Giovanni tracked him with his eyes but kept eating.

“I don’t have long. We’re being watched Don Giovanni,” he heard a voice just above a whisper.

Giovanni chewed and said nothing. He stared straight ahead as if not spoken too.

“Aldo sent me. Is there any message you wish to have delivered for the butcher,” the man asked with his head bowed and without moving his lips. “Because he returns soon.”

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